Parsons all smiles after Blues triumph at sold-out Eden Park

Former Blues Hooker James Parsons was chuffed after the Blues 41-10 victory over the Chiefs in Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final.

Parsons, who clocked over 100 games for the side, said that he still has a smile on his face days after the final whistle.

“It was an amazing night. A long time in between drinks. They certainly put in a clinic when it counted," Parsons told SENZ Mornings.

"They’ve sort of done that all year, when the game has been in the balance they’ve delivered. It’s fantastic for the region to see a packed-out house at Eden Park in those conditions as well it’s great to see.”

The two test All Black, now co-host of Sky Sport's Aotearoa Rugby Pod, had praise for the forward pack - crediting them for the part they played in the championship-winning season.

“They’ve been brutal in those collision areas. They’ve definitely changed their DNA. It’s limited their errors, it’s meant they’ve been able to build pressure through phases - you can only hold them out for so long.

"It’s also playing to their strengths. Biggest athletes, biggest bodies, it is pretty hard to stop if they have that sort of single-minded determination.”

Parsons specifically had plaudits for Patrick Tuipulotu, whose triumphant return from injury has been well publicised after injuring his knee in the quarter-final against the Fijian Drua.

Tuipulotu managed 57 minutes before being pulled from the field - receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

“The performance, the way he led - it’s the second time he’s lifted a trophy. Some people don’t count the trans-Tasman, but we certainly do at the Blues. He’s gonna go down as one of the greatest captains ever.”

The adage of defence wins championships applied for the Blues which was something that Parsons picked up on.

“They were the hardest team to breakdown. Even when you got into their 22. Craig McGrath (defence coach) has done a superb job.”

Listen to the full interview: